Andre watched my face, the lamplight softening his expression. “And that bothers you?”
“Of course it does.”
“Why?”
I shrugged. “Well, because the whole thing is sort of... creepy. And then there’s the way Wanda’s reacting to it. LikeIndigo is a bomb waiting to go off. And the worst part is that I can’t say the caution is unwarranted.”
I leaned against the counter, swirling the drink idly in one hand, watching the faint shimmer of potion residue catch the light.
“Then where is the issue?”
“I don’t know,” I said finally. “Wanda and Indigo looked like they were walking on glass earlier. Wanda was trying to be polite, but I can tell she’s wary. And Indigo—she’s trying too hard to act like she belongs here.”
Andre glanced up from his book again, brow lifting slightly. “You’re thinking of meddling.”
“Not meddling,” I said defensively. “I was just thinking that maybe a small potion might help. Something for goodwill. Nothing big.”
He chuckled under his breath, the sound deep and warm. “You want to spike their tea with diplomacy?”
I sighed. “I just hate seeing things awkward like they are currently. Wanda’s been good to her, but Indigo keeps shrinking back every time someone raises their voice. She’s not dangerous anymore... I’m pretty sure.” She seemed more like a timid dog who had been kicked one too many times.
Andre set the book aside, steepling his fingers. “You can’t fix this for her, Poppy. She has to rebuild trust the long way. And if Wanda’s the one offering it, you should let her handle it.”
I frowned, tracing a circle in the condensation on the glass. “I know. But I feel like I should do something. Anything.”
“Do something for your lab,” he said gently. “You’ve got foundations and raw talent, but it won’t mean much if you spend your energy smoothing other people’s rough edges.”
I raised a brow at him. “You think I can’t multitask?”
“Oh, I think you can,” Andre said with a half-smile. “But you shouldn’t. Not when you’ve finally got a chance to build something that’s yours and just yours.”
I sighed again, quieter this time. “You’re probably right.”
Andre nodded. “I usually am.”
“Arrogant.”
“Honest,” he countered, reaching for his drink. “And besides, if Indigo and Wanda are meant to work things out, they will. No potion can hurry that.” Then he paused a moment, just studying me in that way of his.
“What?” I asked.
He smiled. “I want you to tell me why you kept your worries to yourself about your alchemy.”
I shifted my weight, not quite looking in his direction. “Who said I was nervous?”
“Need I remind you that we are connected, Poppy? That we are bound?”
“No.”
“Then you know I can feel it when you’re worried about something.” He paused. “So, I will repeat my question: why didn’t you tell me you were so nervous?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
“You don’t get to protect me from your feelings, Poppy. That’s not how this works. We are in a relationshiptogether.” He paused. “And together means that you let me in when something is worrying you. So I can help shoulder it.”
“I’ll... try.”
He stood so he could join me by the counter. “I’m always here for you, Poppy.” He reached down to secure a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “All you have to do is talk to me.”
